Good nutrition is vital for a healthy lifestyle. As we age changes can happen that make it harder to eat healthy. These changes can include:

• Home life, such as suddenly living alone or having trouble getting around
• Health, which can make it harder for you to cook or feed yourself
• Medicines, which can change how food tastes, make your mouth dry, or take away your appetite
• Income, which means that you may not have as much money for food
• Sense of smell and taste
• Problems chewing or swallowing your food

There are many programs available for nutritious food and meals and ATRC Aging is here to help you participate in these programs.

Senior Center Meal Program

Hot, nutritious meals are available Monday through Friday at ATRC Aging’s 28 area senior centers. These meals are available to persons age 60 or older or their spouse regardless of age. To find a senior center near you, go to our Senior Centers page.

Homebound Meal Program

Homebound seniors may receive a hot meal delivered to them on weekdays, if available. In addition to the meal, the senior enjoys the personal contact provided by the person who delivers the meal. These meals are available to persons age 60 or older or the spouse of an eligible person. In addition, homebound seniors must be unable to attend the senior center due to physical or medical limitations and live within the delivery area of a senior center.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formally known as the Food Stamp Program, offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income households, access to a healthy diet, education on food prep and provides economic benefits to communities. Recipients spend their benefits (provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card) to buy eligible food in authorized retail food stores. SNAP is the largest program in the domestic hunger safety net. The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) works with State agencies, nutrition educators, and neighborhood and faith-based organizations to ensure that those eligible for nutrition assistance can make informed decisions about applying for the program and can access benefits. FNS also works with State partners and the retail community to improve program administration and ensure program integrity. To find out more about the SNAP program, click the button below.

Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP)

The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program is designed to provide seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey and herbs. SFMNP serves low-income seniors, generally defined as individuals who are at least 60 years old and who have household incomes of not more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines. The program helps increase the domestic consumption of agricultural commodities through farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agricultural programs, and aids in the development of new and additional farmers markets, roadside stands, and community support agricultural programs. Seniors are invited to apply for the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program benefits beginning in mid-January. The program has a limit on the number of seniors accepted throughout the state so applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Program participants are provided a debit card for shopping. To download an application or to check a debit card balance, click the button below.

Alabama Elderly Simplified Application Project For Food Assistance

ATRC Aging can help with the Alabama Elderly Simplified Application Project for food assistance, a major outreach effort to reach people facing barriers to participating in the Food Assistance Program. Many seniors have challenges to applying for food assistance, including transportation, mobility, and disability. This outreach program is designed to make the Food Assistance Program more efficient and improve program administration to better ensure delivery of assistance benefits to eligible households. To be eligible for the Alabama Elderly Simplified Application Project, all household members must be age 60 or older and have no earned income. For additional information and assistance with your application, call ATRC Aging at (334) 682-5206 or 888-617-0500.